Special Ed teacher or 4th grade elementary school teacher?

Question

I am in school to be an elementary school teacher but I think I want to teach special ed. I have the love, patience and understanding. What are my pros and cons in teaching elementry children vs. special ed children? I hear many people who go into special ed does not stay long. Could you give me any information that you can that would help me make a choice in my career. Thank you so much in advance.

Answer 1

Well if you are up to it.

when i was in special ed i had so many out burst that someone had to restrain me because i was my anger put a strain on my friends.

I think that their is 2 kinds of Special Ed one has kids with Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, learning disorders.

Answer 2

Speial Ed is what my older sister did.  She loved the kids and kept the job for four years. It wasn't as easy as a normal school with normal students but she made it thru! I think one of the hardest things in being a special ed's teacher is having to be  ever so kind and patient. My sister would of continued, but she was having a child of her own and did no wish to go back to work.  

"The best thing about being a 'ed' is the smile on the face of the kids when they know they finally learned it"

Special ed's teachers don't get paid as much, unless you find a high rank/high paying school.

It really doesn't quiet matter, if you have the patience and love to care. I guess If you went Special Ed's the students wouldn't care. However the fourth graders might take you up as "The best teacher" with all that kindness you've got!

It's your choice!

- Ellie Ana

Answer 3

i got a degree in special education...the main issue is that my first teaching job was with kids with emotional issues and behavioral issues ( i wanted to work with those with educational/learning disabilities) and those kids were killing me...they were violent, mean and nasty. i wasn't ready for the abuse that i took. so, now that I'm looking to teach learning disabled, i can't. everyone who wants to hire me has pigeonholed me into working with their "bad behavior" kids, because of my background...in my honest opinion, your patience and love will last you much longer with regular elementary kids....it runs out faster with special education....just look at the turnover rates for the two in comparison to one another.   good luck!

in response to one of the above answers, in the US, special ed teachers are paid the same as other teachers....unless they are employed part time. all teachers are paid on a districtwide payscale that is only different from teacher to teacher based on education and experience.

Answer 4

If at all possible, I would definitely suggest you get certified in both.  If you're really flexible, certify in secondary ed and special ed.  In many, if not most, state law requires the special ed teacher to also be specifically qualified in the subject area they are teaching.  It makes you very marketable.  If you're sure you want the little ones, I'd still suggest you do both.  It vastly increases your knowledge base and will make you a better teacher no matter where you end up.  It will also make you more desirable to districts who will see you as being flexible about where they can place you.

HTH

Shelley S

Answer 5

I would recommend also to get certified in both areas. The move towards including children with special needs into general education is an increasing trend.  However, I found that from experience some districts are not equipped to put the supports in place for children with disabilities to be in the regular class setting.  And I've heard from countless elementary ed. teachers that they don't know how to teach special ed kids (which I find absurd in this day in age).  So, being certified in both makes you equipped to handle a variety of students and not just a "one size fits all." This will make you a well rounded teacher and also more marketable.  When you finish school, you'll be able to look for both types of positions.  And throughout your career you can have options in what kind of class you could teach in.  Personally, I prefer Special Education. Yes, there is a high turnover rate in that field but truly the entire education field is subject to a high turnonver rate.  Teaching is not easy.  It takes skill, patience, and alot of work. I find that a pro for teaching special education is the smaller class sizes.  The special education children tend to have more issues than regular education students but its much better to deal with 10 challenging students than 30 4th grade kids. And after being a skilled special education teacher, you'll learn strategies for working with a special population. Also, consider working with lower incidence populations (autism, multiple disabilities).  There is a real need for teachers to service those students. In sum, kill two birds with one stone. Major in both. As you go through student teaching and working you'll find the right place for yourself. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Which ever on you choose is great. You can always try the special ed, and if it is overwhelming, go back to 4th grade. I have a child with Autism, and I know that his teachers have their hands full. The bottom line is to be a patient, loving person to all of the kids that you teach.

Answer 7

I am a special ed teacher and this is my 7th year doing it. I love what I do. I started taking education classes in college, thinking that I wanted to teach elementary ed, but changed to special ed instead. It is rewarding every day. My best experience was teaching for 4 years at high school with students who had mild intellectual disabilities, autism, and some learning disabilities. Now I am working with 3rd and 5th grade students with LD, and it is good too. We do a lot of co-teaching at my school, so I really get to work with all of the students in the classroom. There are downsides of it also... a lot of paperwork, frustration when students just don't "get" what I try to teach them, or a few behavior problems. But all in all it is a great job and I wouldn't change to be a classroom teacher for anything! Oh, and in the district where I work they pay an extra 5% bonus for teaching special ed! And I have NEVER had a hard time finding a job. Special Ed always has a need for new teachers!

Answer 8

Special education can be stressful and hard work.  Make sure you have a great school with a support system.  The rewards and bonds with the special education class can never be outdone.  It's a lifelong reward.